An Evening With Antinori Wines
Specs Austin, TX (Brodie Lane)
Tasted May 9, 2012 by wmccone54 with 930 views
Introduction
Mr. Niccolo Maltinti, Antinori "U.S. Ambassador" from NYC, and Mr. Gabriele Chiocca, Antinori Texas Manager from Houston were doing an invitation only "roadshow" of their current, flagship Tuscan and U.S. releases. The tasting was sponsored by SPECS and held at their Brodie Lane (South Austin) location. There were approximately 40 of Specs local Austin customers. The event was an opportunity and attempt by Antinori Wines to capitalize in the Austin market based upon their recent successes at the Annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Wine Auction and Tasting held in March 2012.
Flight 1 - Italian Flagship Releases (5 notes)
White
2009 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Umbria Cervaro della Sala
Italy, Umbria
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX: 85% Chardonnay and 15% Grechetto blend that really shows the Umbria terrior. Recommended to drink slightly chilled to allow it to open and show. Beautiful medium straw color. Lightly oaked, displaying a softly buttered nose, with a noticeable underpinning of minerality. Citrus and vanilla flavors in a soft mouthfeel. Very nice finish.
Red
2006 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Badia a Passignano
Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX: This is made with 100% Sangiovese Grosso, so other than the Chianti Classico Appellation, this is equivalent to a Brunello di Montalcino. Medium Bodied, plum color. Very perfumed, with lots of dark cherry, flowers, red berries, and some underlying earthiness. Wonderful mouthfeel with a very finely integrated tannic structure. Very nice expression of Chianti Classico and easily as good as many “upper echelon” Brunellos that I have had over the years. Very dry. Nice lasting finish that goes on for quite a while.
Red
2008 Antinori Tignanello
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX: Fuller bodied, very dark, intense ruby color. Blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Earthy aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, chocolate, and slight hints of vanilla. “New World” in style, exhibiting a great black and red fruit flavor profile , but also showing plenty of tertiary flavors of tobacco, coffee, and chocolate. Rounded tannins. Long, persistent finish.
Red
2006 Antinori Solaia
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX: Very dark, opaque plum color, with a full bodied texture. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a lesser amount of Sangiovese, and a dollop of Cabernet Franc. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon is very evident on the nose; complex aromas of dark black fruit, tobacco, chocolate, herbs, and a classic earthiness that only fine elegant European wines seem to possess. Structured with dry, dusty tannins. Very rich in the mouth, but also very well balanced. Great, long lasting finish which lasts for a long while. Really an outstanding classic and elegant wine.
Red
2008 Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore
Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX: Tasted after the Solaia to accentuate the differences in terrior between Tuscany and Bolgheri. Both wines have similar compositions with the Guado Al Tasso recently being re-blended to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Vintages before 2007 used Syrah rather than Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Richly textured and very full bodied. Totally New World style with lots of fruit upfront: dark berries, dark cherries, spice, with some vanilla accents. Complex and structured. Long persistent finish.
Flight 2 - U.S. Antica Releases (3 notes)
White
2009 Antica (Antinori) Chardonnay
USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX: As in their European counterparts, all Antica (Antinori CA) fruit is from estate owned and operated vineyards. Light straw color, lighter bodied Chardonnay which according to the Antinori folks is reflective of the higher elevation and cooler temperatures and unique sun exposure (terrior) of Atlas Peak. As with the 2009 Antinori Cervaro Della Sala, this wine was lightly oaked providing a flavor profile of tropical fruit, melon, sweet vanilla and some creaminess. Smooth and subtle, very un-Napaesce in style. Nice acidity and finish.
Red
2008 Antica (Antinori) Cabernet Sauvignon
USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX: Full bodied, plum color. A very ripe, fruit forward nose. Lots of sweetness on the nose. Primary black and red fruits without much complexity. Approachable with smooth tannins, not much discernible oak. Medium finish.
Red
2008 Antica (Antinori) Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak
An Evening With Antinori Wines, SPECS Austin, TX : A single vineyard cabernet, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very full bodied, and richly textured. Opaque purple color. A bit closed on the nose initially, needs time and or decanting. Good fruit on the palate with a typical cabernet flavor profile: black currant, dark cherries and berries. Still primary and not much complexity at this juncture. Very well balanced with soft tannins. Decent finish.
Closing
The wines were very positively received by a diverse audience that represented a good cross section of consumers from everyday wine drinkers to aficionados and collectors. The Antinori hosts were able to provide some very interesting insights(and vignettes) into their Italian and U.S. estate vineyard management and terrior, production levels, and the compostion of their current releases. Not as impressed by their U.S. produced wines as their Italian counteparts, but their Antica operation is still youg and developing.
A very worthwile event.
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